Nov 20, 2009 By Angie Oravec 3 min read

The Brownsville Area School Board bid farewell Thursday to board members Ellen Rohrer and John Evans. Rohrer, in a statement given toward the end of the board meeting, encouraged the board to continue with an elementary-level project that will benefit the students as well as the faculty.

“The district is on the road of reform and needs to continue on this path by building/remodeling an elementary school that will benefit the students as well as the faculty,” said Rohrer. “We need to continue making investments in our students.”

Rohrer, a 12-year board member, chose not to seek re-election in the spring primary. She and Evans, an eight-year board member, will depart the board at the December reorganization meeting, where new board members Andy Assad and Nena Kaminsky will take their seats.

Evans did not attend Thursday’s meeting.

Rohrer, who served as treasurer and chairwoman of the board’s finance committee, credited Dr. Philip Savini, superintendent, for tightening the purse strings on spending and bringing innovative ideas and new curriculum.

She also encouraged parents to become involved in the district, an “essential ingredient” that she said helps board members “make the right choice for your child’s future.” Parents, she said, could become involved directly by running for a seat on the board or indirectly by attending more meetings.

Rohrer said although she’s sure she did not make all the right decisions throughout her time serving on the board, she “tried to handle every situation with equality and integrity.

“Even though, at times, cooperation and camaraderie were lacking among the board, I can say that I will greatly miss sitting in this chair,” said Rohrer. “Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve you.”

Savini thanked Rohrer for her time and dedication, noting that she always had the betterment of the students in her heart.

Meanwhile, district athletic director Scott Roebuck announced that Doug Dascenzo, a Brownsville Area High School graduate, donated over $3,000 worth of weight equipment to the high school weight room.

The board also:

n Agreed to $16,770 in expenditures and stipends for the annual spring musical “Carousel” to be performed March 11, 12 and 13.

n Accepted the resignation/retirement of high school math teacher John W. Chuma Jr. effective the last day of the 2009-10 school year, and custodian Charles W. Beatty, effective Jan. 30.

n Hired Jeremy Thomas and Lou Pasquale as varsity boys assistant basketball coaches, Brian Abbey as ninth-grade boys basketball coach and Doug Kaminsky as seventh- and eighth-grade boys basketball coach.

Thomas and Pasquale will be paid a $2,200 stipend, while Abbey and Kaminsky will receive a $1,500 stipend. The appointments are for the current school year.

n Entered into an agreement with natural gas production company Atlas America, LLC, of Moon Township for the lease of district property for gas-well drilling.

District solicitor James T. Davis said the agreement could benefit the district financially, but the amount of money the district could receive depends on whether gas is found.

Locations of possible drilling sites are undetermined at this time, he said.